Noon update: Close to 25,000 homes have lost power throughout the island, as Hurricane Paulette continues to strengthen into a strong Category 2 even as it moves slowly north from Bermuda after making landfall early this morning.

Almost 23,000 people were in the dark as of 7am after Hurricane Paulette hammered the power supply network.

A spokesman for electricity generator Belco said the public should not report outages while the storm continued to impact the island because repairs would only start when conditions were safe.

He added: “It is very important for the public to stay off the roads to allow all essential services, including Belco crews, unimpeded access to respond to any emergencies and address power outages.

“Belco has engaged the company’s crisis management team who are meeting regularly and will continue to meet and coordinate restoration efforts until all power is restored.”

The public were also warned to keep well away from downed power lines — at least 33 feet — about the length of three family-size cars.

At first light, the breakdown of outages by parish was: Sandys, 1,875; Southampton, 2,693; Warwick, 2,814; Paget, 2,889; Pembroke, 3,724; Devonshire, 2,446; Smiths, 1,893; Hamilton Parish, 1,578; St George’s, 2,634.